Food Bank Needs Volunteers

PINE-STRAWBERRY

After spending three days in the Valley with lots of necessary running around, I am delightfully happy to be back in Strawberry. How fortunate we are to live in such a wonderful place. Without the fear of fire, Pine and Strawberry would be perfect and everyone in the world would want to live here. That would ruin it. We would end up with fast food restaurants on every corner. How awful.

Be sure to register the children for the new Children's Story Hour beginning on Wednesday, Aug. 3 at the Isabelle Hunt Memorial Library in Pine. Book Buddies begins at 9:15 a.m. for children 3 to 5. Reader's Roundup is for 6- to 8-year-olds at 10:15 a.m. Stop by the library to register or call (928) 476-3678 for more information.

Windermere Majestic Rim Properties is having a grand opening from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 6 at the new Pine office. There will be refreshments and fun as the opening of this new office is celebrated. The office is in the historic Old Settler's Cabin, built in 1882, in the heart of Pine. Name the stuffed bear to win a dinner for two and register to snag other prizes.

The First Baptist Church of Pine is announcing the start of the AWANA Program. This program is for all school age children and runs from Aug. 8 through the first week in May of 2006. The kick off will be Monday, Aug. 8 and all children will register at that time.

Sparks is for grades kindergarten through second and meets from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. All other groups meet from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. TNT is for grades third through six, JV is for grades seven and eight, and Journey 24/7 is for high school students.

The children have a great time learning about God's word and studying the Bible while getting to know each other through games, singing and devotional time. Groups are led by trained leaders. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to the kick off and registration Aug. 8. Stay and meet the leaders, and watch the children in the various activities.

The food bank is in need of volunteers. The group meets at 1:30 p.m. the last Tuesday of every other month in the Cultural Hall of the Pine Community Center. The next meeting is Sept. 26 but you can volunteer now. Food distribution is the first Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. A few good men would be most appreciated to help move and carry boxes and bags of food. Women are also needed so that the few devoted volunteers can get a break on occasion. This is a great group of dedicated volunteers who want to help those in our community who are in need. For more information, call (928) 476-4355 or (928) 476-4647.

Guardian Angel Program

The Guardian Angel Program is sponsored by the Pine-Strawberry Firefighters Association. Pendants are worn around the neck of older or disabled people who live alone. In case of a fall or health emergency, the person pushes the button on the pendant and a contact person is notified that help is needed. Donations from the Carter Family Memorial provided funds to purchase the original pendants and get the program running. Donations are needed for additional pendants at $50 each. Individuals and organizations can sponsor one person or provide funding for several of these life-saving pendants. Read next week's column for an interview with a couple of people who wear the pendants. For more information about this program, call the Pine-Strawberry Fire Department, (928) 476-4272.

The Chair-ish event was a huge success. So many people from our communities bought tickets and many went all out on their bidding for the delightful chairs. It was a great evening and it was wonderful to see people visiting and having fun. Take Pride of Pine and Strawberry will certainly put the money to good use.